Artwork Description

Title: Deep in the Flower Six
Artist: Lv Jiang
Date: 2021
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 8.3 x 23.6 in (21 x 60 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Deep in the Flower Six by Lv Jiang completes his radiant fan series with a soft yet striking depiction of a reclining female figure, wrapped in a loosely draped dress and framed by exotic fruit and botanical forms. Rendered in ink and watercolor on paper, the composition features a delicate balance of pastel textures, zebra stripes, and ripe, rounded forms that emphasize both sensuality and surreal calm. The fan format accentuates the curvature of the body and flow of the composition, while artist seals and inscriptions affirm its cultural lineage.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Lv Jiang’s signature fusion of traditional fan painting with contemporary figuration is fully realized in this sixth installment. Softly applied washes, calligraphic contour lines, and bold color accents channel gongbi and xieyi ink techniques, while the stylized depiction of the reclining woman and tropical fruit suggest influences from Western postmodernism and Japanese pop culture. The contrast between the quiet posture of the figure and the saturated palette gives the piece both intimacy and vibrancy.

3. Historical Context
Created in 2021, Deep in the Flower Six continues Lv Jiang’s challenge to the conventions of huaniao hua (bird-and-flower painting) and literati ink tradition. A professor and scholar based in Nanjing, Lv Jiang’s practice explores how classical Chinese forms can serve as vessels for contemporary identity, sensuality, and expression. In this work, he reclaims the fan format—historically reserved for elegant scenery or moral themes—to instead celebrate personal vision and liberated aesthetics.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The fan-shaped paper is clean and well-preserved, with no visible tears, stains, or restoration. Watercolor pigments remain fresh and vibrant, and the brushwork is crisp. Artist seals are clear and intact.

6. Artistic Significance
Deep in the Flower Six blends femininity, fantasy, and tradition through a unique artistic voice. With its subtle eroticism and symbolic richness, the work challenges assumptions about both subject matter and medium in Chinese art. Whether viewed as an individual piece or as the final part of a six-part cycle, it embodies the evolving language of contemporary ink painting and the visual poetry of the artist’s world.